It is not treason to express ambivalence over the death of Osama Bin Laden, question the American response to terrorism generally and the 9/11 attacks specifically, or even to question the orthodox view of the destruction of the World Trade Center Towers. It isn’t any more treasonous than expressing doubt over the birthplace of the President. It is best, in both cases to have real proof and be utilizing logic and reason, but in no event is it treasonous nor is it an affront to the troops. The troops are defending our right to have our own opinions, among other things, and fighting for others to have those rights as well.
Rashard Mendenhall, the starting running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers, made a number of tweets regarding Bin Laden and 9/11. Among them are the following … “What kind of person celebrates death? It's amazing how people can HATE a man they have never even heard speak. We've only heard one side..." "We'll never know what really happened. I just have a hard time believing a plane could take a skyscraper down demolition style." "I believe in God. I believe we're ALL his children. And I believe HE is the ONE and ONLY judge." "Those who judge others, will also be judged themselves." ”For those of you who said you want to see Bin Laden burn ... I ask how would God feel about your heart?" "There is not an ignorant bone in my body. I just encourage you to think."
His comments have been fodder for sports radio everywhere. The Pittsburgh Steelers even felt the need to have an official public response to these tweets. Art Rooney II said: “I have not spoken with Rashard, so it is hard to explain or even comprehend what he meant with his recent Twitter comments. The entire Steelers organization is very proud of the job our military personnel have done and we can only hope this leads to our troops coming home soon."
My response is that Rashard Mendenhall’s comments are, for the most part, not that hard to explain or comprehend. The comments about the alternative Trade Center narrative is a little puzzling, but he is surely not alone in questioning whether killing Bin Laden was just and right. Certainly, none of the comments are insults to soldiers or somehow forbidden during a time of war. Just as clearly, Americans are entitled to question the actions of their government and the explanations given them by government. It may even be one of the more patriotic things one can do. So, I’m not sure why the Steeler’s needed to apologize for Mendenhall or say they were proud of the military.
People are entitled to their opinions. If their opinions aren’t logical and well reasoned, they should be, and most likely will be, challenged. Simply being critical of the government is not the same as being illogical or poorly reasoned. Art Rooney is entitled to his opinion too, but in this case I’m not sure it’s any more logical than Rashard Mendenhall’s.
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